Attachment-focused EMDR therapy in dutchess county & online across new york and florida
Heal from the past & feel in charge of yourself again.
When you’ve experienced something traumatic—whether it was a single event or a series of ongoing ones—it sticks with you, often continuing to show up throughout your life.
Maybe you’ve experienced…
A painful breakup, a toxic work environment, a falling out with a close friend, or tension in your family that still lingers.
A past that’s weighing on you—maybe from childhood experiences that shaped you in ways you're still trying to understand.
A terrifying event, like a car accident, an assault, or something that made you fear for your life.
The kind of hurt that isn’t always obvious to others, like being bullied, emotionally manipulated, or made to feel small.
A loss that left a hole in your life, whether it was a person, a dream, or a version of yourself you thought you'd always be.
Stress, fear, or self-doubt that creeps in when you least expect it—whether in relationships, at work, or just trying to fall asleep at night.
EMDR can help you heal the root of the issues you’re facing, so you can finally move forward.
How emdr works
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps people process distressing memories so they no longer have the same emotional impact.
Instead of just talking about what happened, we use bilateral stimulation techniques, such as tapping on opposite sides of your body (referred to as “Resource Tapping”), to ground your body in the present while your brain reprocesses painful experiences from the past.
The process involves eight steps, each designed to gently guide you through the process of healing.
The 8 phases of EMDR include…
History Taking – We start by learning about your symptoms, past experiences, and what’s bringing you to therapy.
Preparation – I explain how EMDR works, help you build coping skills, and make sure you feel safe and ready.
Assessment – We identify specific memories or experiences that are connected to your current struggles.
Desensitization – We use resource tapping, a form of bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess the distressing experience.
Installation – We reinforce new, more positive beliefs to replace the old, painful ones.
Body Scan – You check in with your body to make sure all distress linked to the memory is gone.
Closure – We end the session in a way that ensures you feel calm and grounded.
Reevaluation – At the next session, we check in on your progress and decide on the next steps.
MY APPROACH
Helping you tap into your brain’s natural ability to heal.
EMDR with me is a collaborative process—I won’t just guide you through it, I’ll walk alongside you. I practice Attachment-Focused EMDR, which centers relationships and how our early relationships shape us. This approach is especially helpful for working through complex childhood trauma, but can also be applied to other kinds of trauma and anxiety. It also means that the relationship we have with each other is incredibly important, so we’ll spend time getting comfortable with one another before going deeper.
We’ll start by getting clear on what’s bringing you here, where you want to go, and what feels right for you at each step. Before we even begin processing painful memories, we’ll build up tools and resources to help you feel steady and supported. You already have everything you need inside you to heal—my role is to help you access it in a way that feels safe, manageable, and empowering.
Healing isn’t about erasing the past, but instead about loosening its grip so you can live life the way you want to. Through EMDR, we’ll gently work with the memories and patterns that are still affecting you, helping your brain reprocess them so they don’t hold the same emotional weight. Along the way, we’ll challenge all-or-nothing thinking, explore the parts of you that have worked so hard to protect you, and find new ways of being that feel more aligned with the life you want. This is your journey, and I’ll always ask for your input—your voice, your choices, and your comfort level matter every step of the way.
How attachment-focused EMDR can help…
Find relief from overwhelming emotions — When past experiences still feel raw, EMDR helps ease the intensity so you don’t have to carry that weight every day.
Heal from painful experiences that still affect you — Instead of feeling stuck in the past, you’ll be able to process what happened in a way that helps you move forward.
Reconnect with your own strength and ability to heal — You already have what it takes to heal—EMDR just helps unlock the parts of you that know how to do it.
Learn how to tap into support when you need it — Whether it’s through inner resources, trusted people, or new coping skills, you’ll build a toolkit to help you feel more grounded.
Let go of the emotional charge tied to painful memories — EMDR helps shift the way your brain holds onto difficult experiences, so they don’t have to feel as heavy or defining.
Feel more confident in yourself and your ability to feel safe — As old wounds heal, it becomes easier to trust yourself, navigate challenges, and feel more secure in your own skin.
Frequently asked questions about attachment-focused EMDR therapy
FAQs
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I practice Attachment-Focused EMDR, which is especially helpful for working through complex childhood trauma. It can also help with other painful experiences, like past relationships that left a lasting impact, difficult family dynamics, or moments in life where you felt unsafe, unseen, or unworthy. EMDR works by gently helping your brain reprocess these experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming. In our work together, we’ll focus on healing in a way that feels supportive, grounded, and tailored to your unique needs.
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It depends on a few factors, like what you're working through, how ready you feel to process it, and how much support you have. Some people start feeling relief in as few as 6-12 sessions, while others need more time to work through deeper layers of trauma. EMDR isn’t about rushing the process—it’s about moving at a pace that feels safe and effective for you. In our work together, we’ll check in regularly to make sure you’re getting what you need from the process.
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EMDR can be powerful, but it’s not the best approach for everyone. If you have trouble managing strong emotions, have experienced a traumatic brain injury, or are dealing with psychosis, EMDR might not be the safest option. Certain medical conditions and medications can also affect whether EMDR is a good fit. If you’re unsure, we can talk through your specific situation and explore the best path forward together.